This super easy Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce is incredibly simple and made from only 6 ingredients! Yet, it is BIG on flavor — rich, creamy, and is most similar to a vodka sauce. This may just become your favorite pasta dish to enjoy!
WHAT’S NEW?
Why, hello! Dear blog’o mine. Don’t feel neglect. Nursing school + work + parenting + kiddos in 2 sports each is simply…A LOT. We’re taking it one day at a time over here! It’s hard to believe my semester is nearing the halfway mark and my clinicals will soon be graduating from the sim lab to real healthcare settings. Look out, world, here I come! Piper is halfway through her travel soccer season and Shea is enjoying flag football and has started her swim season, too. Right now, Tuesday is the sacred day that we have everyone home….and I cherish it.
Meal times continue to be a struggle – we’re here, there, everywhere. The hours of 5pm to 8pm in this household are nothing shy of chaotic. While the chaos of life is one reason this post is delayed, the other reason is that cottage cheese can be a bit tricky to work with. I have had a few failed attempts at a cottage cheese pasta sauce. But you know what? The best things are worth waiting for. My kids hate cottage cheese so they were the real test. Let me just say, they LOVED this recipe and I have to say, I knocked it out of the park with this one 😉
ROLL CALL FOR THIS RECIPE
- Pasta Lovers: You either love pasta…or you really LOVE pasta! But let’s be honest, it’s all about the SAUCE! This creamy sauce with flavorful sausage will truly “WOW” you!
- Weeknight Warriors: Ready in 30 minutes or less this meal is quick to whip up and it’s also great as leftovers for those who wish to meal prep!
- Comfort Food: There is nothing heartier and more comforting than a steaming hot serving of pasta with meat sauce. The creaminess is an added bonus!
KEY INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Pasta: Use your favorite type of pasta – anything goes! Use gluten-free pasta, chickpea pasta, or whole wheat pasta, if preferred.
- Olive Oil: Using a high-quality extra virgin olive oil offers full, rich flavor and is an excellent choice for its antioxidants and monounsaturated fat content. However, avocado oil works great, too.
- Onion: Yellow or sweet onion is my go-to in a pasta sauce, however white onion or red onion can be used.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is always the best, but jarred, minced garlic or garlic paste works too. In a pinch, feel free to use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder added to the sauce versus the skillet.
- Italian Sausage: I opted for mild ground pork Italian sausage, however you can use a hot variety or even turkey or chicken in place of pork. Vegetarian crumbles or ground beef will also work well.
- Marinara: I used Rao’s traditional, however feel free to use your favorite marinara. Homemade would be delicious! Tomato sauce can be used, however be sure to add some Italian herbs or Italian seasoning, a bit of onion powder and garlic powder, tomato paste, etc.
- Cottage Cheese: Any size curd works, but I do not recommend a fat-free variety for best results. Low fat will work, but the 4% (full-fat cottage cheese) is the creamiest and richest!
NUTRITIONAL MERITS
- Low in sugar
- Cottage cheese provides a boost of protein for those seeking higher protein pasta dish options
- Easily made gluten-free when made with gluten-free pasta or a pasta alternative
- Satiating with more protein and fat than your traditional spaghetti dinner
FAQ
Is there a good way to reduce the amount of carbohydrate in this recipe?
Absolutely! Most of the carbs come from the pasta. In place of a traditional pasta, try zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
Can I use more than a cup of cottage cheese in the sauce?
Surely! Because the cottage cheese makes for a thicker sauce, you may want to add a full cup of pasta water to the blender.
Does a food processor work as well as a blender?
In my experience, food processors do not work QUITE as well as a blender when looking for a smooth, creamy sauce. However, the quality of your small kitchen appliances may make this untrue. That said, a perfectly smooth sauce is a preference and for aesthetics, there’s nothing wrong with being able to see small pieces of cottage cheese in the sauce.
VARIATIONS, STORAGE, and TIPS
- Using a high-speed blender ensures a smooth and creamy sauce.
- For a bit of heat, consider adding crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce – start with a small amount and add more to taste
- Top with a bit of shaved Parmesan cheese, freshly ground black pepper, and/or some fresh basil
- Serve alongside a green salad, steamed green beans, and some crusty, warm garlic bread
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days
Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce
This super easy Cottage Cheese Pasta Sauce is incredibly simple and made from only 6 ingredients!
Ingredients
- 1 lb uncooked pasta
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb raw, ground Italian sausage
- 32 oz marinara sauce
- 1 cup 4% cottage cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large pot of water over high heat and bring to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, according to package directions.
- Drain and keep hot, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat.
- Once hot, add the onion and cook until tender, about 4-5 minutes. Add the garlic and stir, cooking until fragrant or about 30 seconds.
- Add the sausage to the skillet and cook through, breaking up with a wooden spoon into a coarse crumble.
- While the sausage cooks, combine the marinara, cottage cheese, and about 3/4 cup marinara in a blender and blend until smooth.
- Once the sausage is cooked through, add the cottage cheese sauce to the skillet and stir to combine. Allow to warm for 3-4 minutes before adding the hot pasta.
- Stir the pasta to full coat with the cottage cheese sauce. Heat for 1-2 minutes and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1/8 recipe (about 1 1/2 cups)Amount Per Serving: Calories: 455Total Fat: 21.4gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 768mgCarbohydrates: 48.3gFiber: 4gSugar: 4.5gProtein: 19.8g
Looking for pasta inspo?
- Green Pasta Sauce
- One Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Cajun Orzo and Bean Skillet
- One Pot Kielbasa Pasta
- Calabrian Chili Pasta
- Tofu Walnut Bolognese
- One Pot Cheesy Broccoli Orzo
Be well,
